Tag Archives: piano

Spring Recital Details

By joy (admin) | Published: 1 May 2012

As I mentioned yesterday, our Spring Recital was Saturday!  Here’s how it went down: It was held at the local library.  They have an atrium with a Steinway baby grand piano.  In the past, I’ve always held recitals at churches (and once at a school).  I look for churches with grand pianos that can be [...]

Posted in recitals / performances, what I'm up to | Also tagged , | 7 Comments

Review: Daniel McFarlane’s Repertoire for Students

By joy (admin) | Published: 19 April 2012

Australian composer Daniel McFarlane has composed a number of student-level repertoire books which are available on his website.  Daniel was kind enough to send me digital copies of his books so I could review them here. In appearance, all of Daniel’s books have easy-to-read scores with no illustrations.  The titles of each piece are in [...]

Posted in beginners / elementary Level, by student's level, intermediate level, repertoire / methods, reviews | Also tagged , , | 5 Comments

The Amazing Keyboard Race

By joy (admin) | Published: 15 March 2012

I had a wonderful extended weekend in Michigan, giving my presentations and spending time with my family!  Now I’m busy back at work, playing catch-up.  :)  However, I do have a little game I’d like to share with you today. I am not the original inventor of this game, I’m sure — but in case [...]

Posted in beginners / elementary Level, games, games, group classes, Preschool / Early Childhood Music, printables, private lessons | Also tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

My Assignment Notebook Method

By joy (admin) | Published: 8 March 2012

Last Thursday, we started a Forum Q&A discussion about assignment notebooks/pages for students.  Today, I thought I’d share my own method of tracking assignments — and, of course, also announce the winner of the giveaway! The winner of the sheet music decorative balls is commenter #5… LaDona!  Congrats!!  (By the way, if you haven’t seen LaDona’s [...]

Posted in improving as a teacher, private lessons, professional development | Also tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Just Added: Piano Finger Twister game

By joy (admin) | Published: 20 February 2012

I have a new game to share today: Piano Finger Twister!

Posted in beginners / elementary Level, games, group classes, music camps, printables, private lessons | Also tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Teaching Tip: Achieving Fluency

By joy (admin) | Published: 13 February 2012
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Have you ever have a student play a piece with frequent hesitations throughout, even though you know they can play much better than that?  This phenomenon can occur with all ages/levels of students.  Why does this happen?  What is going on when this happens?  This article will examine possible causes of and solutions for a lack [...]

Posted in improving as a teacher, practicing, private lessons, sightreading | Also tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

A Piano Valentine Variation…

By joy (admin) | Published: 3 February 2012

Susan Johannessen shared this cute variation of the Piano Valentine idea I shared on Monday on the ColorInMyPiano facebook page… Love this!! If you have photos of the valentines you’d made, please send them to me at admin[AT]colorinmypiano.com.  I would love see your creativity!

Posted in other resources | Also tagged , | 1 Comment

Piano Valentine Craft (Printable & Tutorial)

By joy (admin) | Published: 30 January 2012

Today, I have a fun little printable and tutorial to share just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Posted in other resources, printables, seasonal / holiday | Also tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Humidity and My Piano

By joy (admin) | Published: 23 January 2012

Here in Ohio, the winter snow is finally upon us!  We were spoiled with an extraordinarily mild December, and only recently have have had a few inches of snow actually staying on the ground for more than a few days without melting. The snowy weather outside means, of course, that the air gets very dry indoors.  The [...]

Posted in studio business | Also tagged , , , | 10 Comments

First Thoughts Regarding Faber’s “My First Piano Adventure”

By joy (admin) | Published: 9 January 2012

As big of a fan as I am of Nancy & Randall Faber’s materials for piano students, somehow I’ve never had a chance to try out their “My First Piano Adventure” books — until now.  After trying out this book with a new 5-year-old student last week, I am wondering why in the world didn’t [...]

Posted in beginners / elementary Level, by student's level, Preschool / Early Childhood Music, repertoire / methods, reviews, series | Also tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Studio Christmas Party Update – Food!

By joy (admin) | Published: 12 December 2011

My apologies for being MIA from the blog the last few weeks!  At the beginning of the semester, I put up posters around the music building of the university in my town for freelancing as a collaborative pianist.  A few music majors contacted me rather last minute to ask if I’d accompany them for their [...]

Posted in recitals / performances, seasonal / holiday, what I'm up to | Also tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Christmas Rhythm Learning Moments

By joy (admin) | Published: 28 November 2011

As I’m sure is currently the case with many of you, my students are working on Christmas pieces along with their usual assignments.  As usual, a few of them have encountered rhythmic “simplifications” in their arrangements (Away in a Manger and Go Tell it on the Mountain come to mind).  After pointing it out the [...]

Posted in beginners / elementary Level, intermediate level, private lessons, rhythm, seasonal / holiday | Also tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment
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